Yost plans to use Grimm in setup role

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Royals manager Ned Yost said right-hander Justin Grimm, signed Sunday, is headed for some type of setup role in the bullpen.

"Whether it's the seventh inning or eighth inning or whatever, he'll be a setup guy," Yost said. "But I don't know what exact role it will be because we just haven't determined roles yet. That's something we're still working on."

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Royals manager Ned Yost said right-hander Justin Grimm, signed Sunday, is headed for some type of setup role in the bullpen.

"Whether it's the seventh inning or eighth inning or whatever, he'll be a setup guy," Yost said. "But I don't know what exact role it will be because we just haven't determined roles yet. That's something we're still working on."

The end results looked fine: Royals' No. 2 starter Ian Kennedy threw four-plus innings and gave up one run while striking out five in the Royals' 10-1 win over the Giants on Tuesday night at Surprise Stadium.

But Kennedy had trouble finding his curveball grip, which may have been the result of slick baseballs.

"It kind of felt like some of them came right out of the box and didn't have any rub on them," Kennedy said. "I couldn't get my grip going on the curveball. I kept throwing balls out, looking for one that wasn't [slick]."

Power show from Whit

Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield blasted two more home runs Tuesday. He now has four home runs this spring to go with four triples and three doubles. He's also hitting .465.

• Left-hander Tim Hill, still with an outside chance to make the 25-man roster, made his first Cactus League appearance since March 9. Hill came in the fifth with two on and none out and induced two groundouts and a popout. Hill has been throwing on the side the last two weeks, trying to throw a harder version of his slider.

Injury updates

• Outfielder Paulo Orlando played in a Minor League game Tuesday and should get in a Cactus League game by the end of the week, Yost said.

• Infielder Adalberto Mondesi continues on his no-throw program because of shoulder impingement. He has been limited to DH.

Up next

Right-hander Jason Hammel will make his fourth start of the spring on Wednesday at 8:05 p.m. CT as the Royals travel to Goodyear to face the Indians. Watch the game on MLB.TV.